WFBT (FM)
| SimulcastingWZDGScotts Hill | |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Lower Cape Fear, North Carolina |
| Frequency | 106.7MHz |
| Branding | Hope Radio |
| Programming | |
| Format | Southern gospel |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Carolina Christian Radio Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | February 26,1993(as WLGX) |
Former call signs | WLGX (1993–2003) WJZY-FM (2003) WUIN (2003–2011) WMYT (2011–2017)[1] |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 34006 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 5,300wattsHorizontal and 4,631 Veritcal |
| HAAT | 100 meters (330 ft) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | yourhoperadio |
WFBT(106.7FM,"Hope Radio"), is asouthern gospelradio stationthat broadcasts out ofWilmington, North Carolina.
History
[edit]In 1999, WLGX began playingsmooth jazzsuch asThe Rippingtons,Dave KozandLarry Carltonalong withR&Bby Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder.[3]
On August 18, 2003, WUIN joinedWPPGand became "The Penguin," described as "a different kind of bird" that played "the music you've been waiting for." For the next 2 years the station introduced an eclectic mix to its listeners. Program director Mark Keefe came fromWNCW.In this format,Woody Guthriecan be followed byR.L. Burnside,John PrineandPhish,for example.[4]In late August 2005, the program director and music director were relieved of their duties, leaving many to speculate about the future of The Penguin. Within a month Sea-Comm Media had replaced the veteran programmers with Beau Gunn, an untested, but music savvy 23-year-old with no radio programming experience. The move paid dividends, as WUIN enjoyed the highest ratings since its inception. In this eclectic, independently programmed format, listeners would hear deep cut classics from the past, to new cutting edge musicians.Bluegrass,jam,rock,folk,hip hop,andAmericanaare all fair game. The Penguin celebrated its fifth birthday with a concert at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Fans of the radio station enjoyed a sold-out concert byTift MerrittandChatham County Line.
In a move rare in the radio industry, the programFlamencoCafé"relocated fromNPRstationWHQRto WUIN.[5]Other original programs on the station wereAcoustic Café,Keller's Cellar,Parrott Hour,Saturday Night 'Jam Session',ReggaeRedemption,Putumaya'sWorld MusicHourandGreat Music Uncorked.
Brian Schimmel of Sunrise Broadcasting said in late 2010 that Sea-Comm Media was buyingWSFM 98.3 FM,which became the new radio home for The Penguin. The 106.7 frequency went to Carolina Christian Radio, owners ofWMYT.[6]
On January 1, 2011, the callsign changed to WMYT.[1]
Late in 2012, WMYT's owners announced plans to sell 106.7 The Word and move the teaching programming toWZDG.[7]
On July 22, 2013, WMYT became a conservative talk station, My Talker Radio, under LMA by Talk Media TV LLC. Curtis Wright, owner and Executive Producer; George Bell, owner and General Manager; and, Meghan Wright, Program Director, were the principals of the new station. The lineup of shows included a variety of local and nationally syndicated talk shows, includingCurtis Wright On The Beat,Glenn Beck,Laura Ingraham,Sean Hannity,America Today with Andy Dean,Coast to Coast AM,Handel on the Law,Joe Pagliarulo,Gary Sullivan,andLeo Laporte.[8]WMYT also obtained a construction permit to reduce its signal from 5,600 to 1,800 watts.[9]
On March 14, 2017, WMYT changed callsigns to WFBT. Chad Adams' Red Wolf Broadcasting took over the LMA and changed its format to "The Big Talker", a format previously heard onWNTB/WLTT.Sports and political commentator Joe Catennaci hosted the morning news and commentary show focusing on the greater Wilmington area.Syndicatedprogramming included Hannity,Dave Ramsey,Mike Gallagher,Dana Loesch,andCoast To Coast AM.[10]
On December 1, 2021, WFBT changed their format from news/talk to a simulcast of southern gospel-formattedWZDG88.5 FM Scotts Hill, branded as "Hope Radio".[11]
Awards
[edit]In 2007, readers ofEncore Magazinevoted WUIN number one in its market.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]Previous logo
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Call Sign History".Retrieved2011-01-06.
- ^"Facility Technical Data for WFBT".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
- ^Rick D'Anjolell, "Scene 'N' Heard / Southern Culture on the Skids at Bessie's; New Radio Station Jazzes Up Wilmington's Airwaves,"Star-News,December 9, 1999.
- ^John Staton, "Will the Penguin Rise or Fall?"Star-News,November 27, 2003.
- ^William Paco Strickland - William Paco Strickland - Creative Wilmington, NC - Member's Profile
- ^Royal, Judy (2010-12-01)."Surf 98.3 changing to Coastal Carolina's Modern Rock 98.7".Star-News.Retrieved2010-12-08.
- ^Venta, Lance (2012-11-08)."Carolina Christian Radio Shutters 88.5 The Edge Wilmington".radioinsight.Retrieved2012-12-13.
- ^Magazine, Talkers (2013-07-19)."Curtis Wright and George Bell to Launch Wilmington, NC Talk Station Monday".Talkers Magazine.Retrieved2013-07-19.
- ^Venta, Lance (2013-07-22)."WMYT Wilmington Flips To Talk".radioinsight.Retrieved2016-05-11.
- ^Venta, Lance (2017-03-17)."The Big Talker Returns To Wilmington NC".radioinsight.Retrieved2017-03-20.
- ^Hope Radio Expands In WilmingtonRadioinsight - December 2, 2021
External links
[edit]- Official Website
- Facility details for Facility ID 34006 (WFBT)in theFCCLicensing and Management System
- WFBTinNielsen Audio's FM station database
- For the Wilmington, Delaware radio market, seeTemplate:Wilmington (DE) Radio
- For the Wilmington, North Carolina radio market, seeTemplate:Wilmington (NC) Radio